apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wow! You really do sleep with your head next to your stove! (yes, I still remember that comment ;D)

I like this space. You have a lot of stuff, but you managed to find a place for everything. The colors are great too. It feels like someone lives here- comfortable and homey =)
And oddly, I really like the bathroom...

Great use of space - love the brick wall of shelves -

Really nicely done - one of the smallest and the coolest (hence the name of the contest. hmm ...). Also, I am a sucker for that green.

Wow the partitan is really just super slick...

does it trigger via pulling a book on the bookshelf?

really innovation, paul! could you explain how the partition works? how heavy is it? how is it affixed? i think this apartment demonstrates some great solutions to the space problem!

There are smaller in this contest, and there are cooler in some ways. But this probably does come the closest to being both things to the greatest degree at the same time.

Only the second Murphy bed in the contest, and brilliantly used. That partition is similar to a suggestion I had for someone else, so naturally I would love that.

I think that this space has gone about as far in the optimization direction has mankind can go without the place becoming an actual Winnebago. Hey, there's an idea! Somebody at Winnebago ought to market their interior stuff to New Yorkers!

Anyway, congrats, Paul. This place is amazing. And it's interesting that you still managed to have a big enough bed for two, and a big enough table for 4, so you can still entertain.

Darn it Paul - didja have to protest so strongly about the archtiects' apartment? Your's is as good - if not better - in different ways. However, it does sound as if a lot of it was done by the previous occupant which does make your line of protesting seem a little compromised in my view.

No matter, you still had to utilize the space, edit belongings etc. choose paint color, make your furniture etc. so I'll vote this as super cool.

I think that is the coolest kitchen I have seen yet. Bathroom is a great use of space and it looks good. I'm not a fan of wainscot but it works very well here, especially with the little corner shelf. The way the murphy bed looks when closed and the way it pivots is great and your living room area looks very attractive, well designed and welcoming.

The only thing I don't like (and mainly because I usually love this kind of thing) is the pivoting partition. The reason is that I can't see the benefit. I assume it blocks the closet by the front door when against the wall as well as providing an enclosed entry foyer but when pivoted out it seems to cut the bed off from the kitchen (which I guess was the point) but it looks like it leaves the stove in the bedroom area. However, if it works for you as an effective wall then that's great.

I'm glad you entered the competition, given your previous comments in this competition and the bedroom one and I am also glad that your apt is up there with the best.

Love it!

It's a fabulous use of space but did you do ANY of the details you listed yourself? If so, bravo! If not, while you should get credit for recognizing good design when you see it, perhaps the sculptor who actually designed it should be the one entering the contest?

well, he did say that he made or scavenged all of the furniture.

and part of good design is seeing a raw space and being able to tell if it will work for you...

What a bitchin cute apartment. A model of efficiency and aesthetics to boot.

I love it. It is an ingenious use of space. Every inch has a purpose, but looks good doing it.

I really like the apartment for all of the reason mentionned above. However, I do have to agree with Jamie Pup that as cool as the partition wall is, I don't immediately understand its utility in an apartment with a Murphy bed. I can see one or the other, but wonder why both?

Great work Paul! Especially the partition walls.
Where did you get the metal dining table or did you make it?

I assumed the partition wall was for privacy and darkness while sleeping.

PS. I like how your dining table is on wheels...you can wheel a whole party into the living room area =D very useful!

Awesome place! Love how the areas flow into one another. Decor is great...really homey, very personal flavors. Favorite part is the bathroom. It's so unusual and I love the fixtures fitted into corners.

Paul, did u ever read Banana Yoshimoto's novel Kitchen? The protaganist sleeps in her kitchen, finding it comforting.
i did that, in a similar space to yours.
The whole shelf wall is great (i'd just suggest hanging roman shades or something over most of the upper half, because i know seeing random stuff all the time can make ya a bit mental).

or maybe just get rid of the appliance boxes

You've done wonders! I agree with previous post--love the bathroom.

Paul,

Love the place!. We moved to the city last summer and I never thought I would store toilet paper in the kitchen. U know, you should submit the design of your space to ID magazine, or Real simple, it would be a cool article.
-e

Okay, this is what I was looking for - a space that is as clever as it is small. I really think there are so many space-saving solutions shown here, with style and inventiveness. Ths is worthy of a photo shoot to spread the word on 'smaller is cooler'. Paul's place has a lot of fun between the Murphy bed and the pivoting wall. I also enjoyed seeing the closet work area. I also love all of the shelves in the walls, a great way to display and appreciate what you have.

There is a book entitled 'Tokyo Style', which shows the crunch of space in Tokyo apartments and how people have been forced to adapt. I think that learning to love the small space is a great thing for us. What amazed me most about this book is that these tiny, inventive spaces were more interesting, inviting, and fascinating than any grand mansion pictures I have seen. To each his own, I suppose.

But Paul's place gives me that same sense of joy through exploration, fun...and coziness.

Thank you for sharing!

wow...so many people are referencing "Tokyo, A Certain Style" lately....[I love that book too though]. For those curious..it's by Kyoichi Tsuzuki. Interesting and inspiring little read if you ever get a chance to pick it up. (and I mean little- it's a pocket-sized book- tiny, like it's contents!) =)

This is a fascinating space. I wonder why the Murphy bed was put into that spot and not at the window end.

I love the tiny corner sink and shelf... Cool place Paul...

What is cool about this entry, is that it SHOWS where the STUFF is, how everything has found a place and where that place is. In the much debated "architects" entry, I kept thinking, ya this is great, but where is the t.v, computer, linen storage, etc. I can understand better how one lives in this place, and it seems very feasible.

I realize the rules have been written, and we still have some more submissions to review, but I want to protest other peoples’ work being in the contest...

I would not like to see this be the precedent for future AT contests that feature work done by someone else before the current entrant moved in. If it becomes a series of competitions of other peoples’ work, I fear you'll discourage a significant portion of your fans, Maxwell.
However, This is also a great opportunity for people to see why they might want to move in to a place that has already been well designed by the previous owner... This previous owner obviously knew how to maximize beauty and functionality on a budget.
I realize I'm just an observer, and not a judge (wow, first panel of judges on an AT contest? Does a tally of observer's votes count in any way at all??? I hope so!)... I do have to point out that the rules required a submission of what friends say when they come over. If you’re going to allow other peoples’ work into the contest, I'd hope you're going to accept their submissions to the exact letter of the contest rules and consider this submission less than complete... Am I right about this? I'm only going by memory.
I'm saying a prayer that a layman or lay-couple will out-do this guy.

Like I said, I would hate for AT contests to become so full of other peoples’ design submissions that laymen get squeezed out... I'd hate to see it become a forum for other peoples’ design competitions. I personally think AT could become a very different type of blog if that's what develops...
I still say this submission should be disqualified for being incomplete. All or nothing, take no prisoners... follow the rules or you're out. But I'm not Maxwell...

;p

This apartment has the old-time coziness of exposed brick and a working fireplace, the haute design elements of sleek custom cabinets and partition, and its all so smartly wrapped in a little 450 sq ft package. The kicker for me is that the life of a tree-lined west village steet is just outside the door. Its a winner!

All right, you completely edited my complaints and made them your own.

;) to you too Jamie Pup...

there are a few things I'd like to point out. I did not take credit for what I did not do. I simply edited what I wanted in this space. It was not designed for me specifically... I looked high and low for a space that would meet my needs in terms of budget and design... I knew I had a huge amount of books, so I needed something that included a system of storage already in place. The finishes had to be acceptable... I did not want something off the shelf, and I knew I'd have absolutely no income for major renovations once the unit was purchased. So yeah... I looked for details. And I think I've made the space my own while respecting the details that existed. It just so happened that the previous owner was a sculptor who was also on a budget... I think all the components are Home Depot items. So I'm not taking credit... I cited my sources... and I'm not claiming to be a design professional, neither am I advertising for a professioanl designer... but I do have a sense for design.

Thanks to everyone for their comments...

The exposed brick wall with fireplace gives the apartment such a warm feeling. I like the bright color walls which add a nice contrast.

Looks like a perfect cozy romantic get-a-way.

What an intelligent use of space! Love the vinyl & wood 50's chairs. It looks like something my great grandma used to have in her basement. Good work, Paul!

although paul has referred me to AT repeatedly, since i no longer live in nyc, this is the first time i've really looked through it. and jaime pup, here is the submission you've been looking for - what friends say when they come over. i've been to paul's flat on a number of occassions and have even had the pleasure of stealing his bed for the night (unfortunately he was not in it!). the space is very tiny, yet so comfortable and roomy at the same time. i LOVE the fact that it transforms so easily. you can easily cook in it, and have friends over, work on the computer, etc. and not feel claustrophobic. paul has done an excellent job with space - just like he did with his last apartment - and the furniture that he built from found objects is the crowning glory. i especially love his chairs and the low tables (paul, did you get pics of them??). everything is always so nice, warm and stylish at his place - he should certainly win this contest...not to mention he's a hell of a guy who really deserves it. miss you, sweetie. good luck!

h

Holly shit, I can't belive you live there! That is the best use of space I've ever seen! Good luck!

Oyyyy, not my style. Sorry. Good luck